panladea Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Hi everyone, I'm Ariane, I'm 18 and this year I'm going to be volunteering at the fringe throughout August for the first time. I'm working at the Pleasance Dome so I think I'll be living in shared student halls with the other volunteers.I'm asking for any tips on how to survive, but more specifically.. what do I pack?? I really don't know what to expect, so any help is good. Thanks - I look forward to hearing from you seasoned EdFringe'ers! :) If you'd like to follow my twitter to see what I've been up to and for updates (probably) throughout August, feel free:@arianenxn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jevans Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Welcome to the Blue Room! I'm assuming you're working as a technician. Firstly - clothes. Obvious, but pack plenty of presentable and practical clothes you're happy to get a bit messy, particually if you're working the fit up period. Pleasance provide branded shirts etc. to ear while on duty. Footwear - steelies or other safety footwear are essentially mandatory, so get a good pair - and bring far more socks than you ever think you will need! A change of socks does wonders for feeling fresh. There are washing machines in the halls so you don't need to weigh yourself down carrying a whole month of clothes. Bring any tools you think you'll need - nothing complex but a good multitool and a headtorch probably will get you a long way. I tour a larger case with more tools, soldering kit etc. but you can normally get hold of these if you need them. Mobile phone, laptop, tablet or whatever other electronic devices you need to survive a month, and their chargers. A good backpack for carrying your things around with you each day. Be prepared to work long hours, have fun and muck in - I'm currently working at the Buxton Fringe but will be heading up to Pleasance after that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panladea Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 Thank you! And yeah, I'm working as a technician. I have a basic toolkit from starting college (although I've hardly used most of the tools in there!), and I have a pair of steelies. I've been meaning to invest in a headtorch for a while - good call. Do you know where I can find a good multitool quite cheap? Oh don't worry, I know aaall about the long hours and hard work. Is it bad that I can't wait to be so busy? :') Thanks for your reply :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieR Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Hey, Ariane. Welcome to the BR and also welcome to Edinburgh and the Fringe! We're a local supplier and work with some of the venues so we see a lot of the techs both at the start and at the end. As you should expect it can be VERY hard work with long hours but can be a great learning experience if you are early in your tech career. You will learn a lot - especially how to think on your feet. Things will break, time will run out, people (mostly ill-prepared acts) will shout at you but learning to deal with all that is part of the Fringe and will help make you a better tech. Try to shake off any negative aspects and embrace the positive though. In terms of what to bring/do - I would certainly second the multitool and headtorch. Sleep is very important - get it when you can. If you are a light sleeper then perhaps some comfortable earplugs as shared accommodation can be noisy. A good pillow is also a great asset. I wouldn't bring anything too valuable or personal though as its very easy for things to get lost/broken. Have a blast though - its an amazing experience. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiLL Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 There is no such thing as a good, cheap multi-tool. There are cheap ones, and there are good ones. You can get a cheapo one, but it probably won't last long under heavy (festival) use, and explaining to the paramedic that your hand got slashed open when your multi-tool snapped in half whilst trying to lever off a fresnels lamp assembley is embarrassing. A good multi-tool (Leatherman or Gerber are the two mainstays), should last you a decade or more of reliable use. If you can afford a leatherman charge for instance, it is one of the most robust and versatile ones I've ever used with a sturdy holster and I've used it on every show for over 6 years now. Although it's also worth mentioning that a good tool pouch with a pair of pliers, side-cutters, screwdrivers and a sharp blade (maybe with some extras like sharpies, lx tape and spray-on plaster) will be more useful than a multi-tool on its own. A multi-tool is useful for its convenience and size but because of its nature it will never be as good as the proper sized tool for the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panladea Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share Posted July 14, 2015 Thanks for your replies guys - sounds like its worth getting a Leatherman then. :P Ariane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy_s Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 Tip 1: don't get drunk after work.Tip 2: if you fail to observe Tip 1, don't turn up to work the next day with a hangover. (and all the other things everyone else has written, plus have some fun.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panladea Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share Posted July 15, 2015 Haha, good tips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djw1981 Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 it's a great city in festival time but since you are 'working' at elast part of your time. My advice from a few years of tech'inga show, a venue and also as a punter is - don;t go out every night- eat sensibly-drink plenty of water- go see something you have no idea about, as well as a few favourites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w/robe Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 Haha, good tips! Shame Andy doesn't take any notice himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy_s Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 Haha, good tips! Shame Andy doesn't take any notice himself.when was the last time you saw me at work with a hangover? :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w/robe Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 Haha, good tips! Shame Andy doesn't take any notice himself.when was the last time you saw me at work with a hangover? :oFair comment.Tip 1 we've not completely always followed though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.elsbury Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 Eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy_s Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 Eh? Apologies, Mr W/Robe and I are colleagues of longstanding, though currently several thousand miles apart. He was referring to the fact that we have occasionally drunk to excess after work together, (contrary to my advice further up the thread to "not get drunk after work") I was defending my position of not turning up for work the next day with a hangover, which is to my mind a much worse offence... E2A (Of course, getting drunk whilst at work is by far the least forgivable option) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryNattrass Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 Thanks for your replies guys - sounds like its worth getting a Leatherman then. :P Ariane Buy one of the similar types made by Stanley tools as they are a fraction of the cost so you will not be crying when you lose it or someone borrows it. They do large and small ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.